Getting back on track after two close road losses, the Powell Panther girls’ soccer team snapped a streak of four consecutive shootout losses dating back to last season. The Panthers defeated Lander 5-4 in a shootout after a 2-2 regulation scoreline on Friday before defeating Pinedale 6-0 on Saturday at home.

POWELL 2, LANDER 2 (5-4 SO)

Cold temperatures and a brisk wind greeted both teams on Friday night, with the Panthers (7-5 overall, 5-3 3A West) taking the wind at their back first against the Tigers (6-2 overall, 6-1 3A West).

Powell started pressing early and often, with the attack paying dividends for the hosts.

Emery Hernandez got the final touch off a scramble in the box from a corner, putting it across the line to make it 1-0 just seven minutes into the game.

Powell continued pressing, taking chances from long range efforts attempting to double the lead early.

Ivy Agee helped increase that lead, launching a free kick from 45 yards into the top corner to make it 2-0 with 23:30 left in the half.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, they were unable to find another in that first half, maintaining the 2-0 lead going into the break.

“I felt that the ladies played well in the entire game, and it was nice to be able to get the two early goals,” coach Danny Agee said. “I remember thinking that four goals would be a safe number, but the ladies worked hard and got the job done.”

Early on in the second half the Tigers came out firing.

Just 1:30 into the second a corner kick helped the visitors get on the board, with the ball being pushed across the line amidst chaos to cut it down to 2-1.

A second corner kick just seven minutes later tied the contest, with the visitors scoring in a flurry to make the contest 2-2 with 32 minutes left.

Powell did not roll over.

Both teams had chances over the final half hour of the contest, but neither could find a winner as the contest went to a shootout.

“I was very impressed that the ladies kept playing hard even after the game was tied up,” coach Agee said. “It would have been easy for them to have put their heads down, but they didn’t. They pulled themselves together and kept working.”

Over the past two years the Panthers have not had major success with shots from the mark, as the last shootout win for the Panthers came in May last year against Mountain View.

Starting the shootout, both teams scored, with Lander scoring first before Hernandez converted hers.

On Lander’s second kick, Powell keeper Josie Hallock chose the right way, deflecting the ball up off the crossbar and denying the Tigers to give Powell an opportunity to take advantage.

“Josie did well with every shot,” coach Agee said. “It is hard but you must pick a side and go for it and that is what she did. Getting the save was just icing on the cake.”

After the save, Coy Erickson stepped up to the spot, putting it in and giving Powell the 2-1 advantage.

Lander scored its third, and Aubree Fisher answered to maintain the lead.

The Tigers scored again, and Agee converted hers to put pressure on the fifth kicker for each team.

Hallock guessed right again on the fifth kicker, getting a hand to the ball but it deflected into the net to set up a decisive kick for Powell.

Emily Orr stepped up and put the ball past the outstretched hand of the keeper to give Powell revenge over the Tigers after a 2-1 loss the weekend prior.

“It was a big weight off the shoulders to be able to win the shootout, especially in such a big game,” coach Agee said.

POWELL 6, PINEDALE 0

The win on Friday boosted the Panthers heading into Saturday, taking on the Wranglers (1-11 overall, 0-8 3A West).

Powell scored early in the contest, starting with a goal from Hernandez on a through ball that she reached just before the keeper to make it 1-0 just four minutes in.

It took a while before the Panthers scored again, with Hernandez adding a second on a shot just inside the 18-yard box to make it 2-0 24 minutes into the half.

Powell added a third before halftime, with Melanie Garcia getting on the scoresheet just before the break after finishing a scramble in the box to make it 3-0.

Agee found her scoring early in the second half, adding two long range goals in the 50th and 52nd minutes, giving Powell a commanding 5-0 advantage.

Powell rotated in a majority of its players throughout the contest, with the final goal coming just minutes before the final whistle.

Erickson drew a penalty after a long solo run, converting the chance herself with three minutes left to finish the contest at 6-0.

“It was great to be able to give all the players some time against a varsity team,” coach Agee said. “It allows young and developing players an opportunity to experience the pace of the game and what is expected of them to play at the next level.”

CODY REMATCH

Powell will have a quick turnaround this week, heading on the road to take on their Park County rivals on Tuesday (today).

The Panthers will head to Cody to take on the Fillies (7-1 overall, 6-1 3A West) at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, looking to avenge a 6-2 loss earlier this month.

“The ladies are playing well and when we work together, we can play quality soccer,” coach Agee said. “All I hope for the ladies is that we all come to the game with the mindset of giving whatever we can to help the team be successful. That way, whatever the outcome may be, it will be a success.”